Curtis Stigers is certainly charismatic, and the songs on his new album This Life are more than just a reworking of old triumphs; they have a deeper resonance and are at times lachrymose. His voice has with time become richer and smokier and speaks to the heart.
He played to a full house at St Mary’s church on August 26. The audience was warm, appreciative and soaked up the atmosphere as Curtis regaled them with hits from the past reworked to give a more mellow feel.
In between singing and playing he told the packed house about the journey to where he is now with his music. “What has happened since I brought my first album out? One of the main things is that the songs have evolved. I play now with a jazz trio behind me, entirely different set up from the early days. My songs have grown and aged and gotten better and taller and better looking – like me (much laughter).
“We have set out to record a new album that shows that these songs that have been with me a long time, are now mature, and the way they sound now is where I am at.”
This Life is a celebration of three decades of musical evolution, exploration and growth.
“Did I mention that you can purchase it here tonight? It makes a fabulous Christmas gift,” said Curtis for the third time, but the audience loved it and laughed.
Swinging down on the 10th and Main is a song written for his mentor, his hero and his dear friend, the late great Gene Harris. Gene was a legend at jazz piano and Stigers told us, “In the late 70s Gene wasn’t happy with where jazz was taking him, so he decided to retire to my home town, the home and birthplace of jazz music: Boise, Idaho, (that’s a joke and it even gets a laugh in Japan).
“He had a steady gig at the grand piano in the lobby of the local hotel and five nights a week the legend of jazz held court. Tuesday night was jam session and I went along and I learnt so much. I wrote this song to commemorate Gene and I bring him along with me as I travel. Now thirty years later I put this song on my new album to keep Gene with me. He will always be in my journeying.”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .